Magnetic coupling device

ABSTRACT

A coupling device, including a first magnet, an attachable anchor plate with a double-sided tape on one side, wherein the coupling device is closed by coupling the first magnet and the second magnet and the coupling device is opened by uncoupling the first magnet and the anchor plate.

The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 184 to U.S. provisional application 62/388,921, filed Feb. 12, 2016, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to clothing.

Background

A conventional tie tack restricts the distance a tie can move away from the body of the wearer when their upper torso is placed at different angles from the rest of the body or when a gust of wind chooses to blow against the wearer. However, a conventional tie tack includes a pin that pierces through the tie creating a hole with each and every use. While a traditional tie bar will also restrict tie movement with in most cases, minimal damage to your tie, it suffers from the disadvantages of being bulky, rendering the tie completely immobile at the point of attachment of the tie bar, and being less attractive in the opinion of many tie wearers. It would therefore be desirable to provide a tie pin that did not damage a tie.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A coupling device, including a first magnet and an attachable anchor plate, wherein the coupling device is closed by coupling the first magnet and the anchor plate and the coupling device is opened by uncoupling the first magnet and the anchor plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front view of the magnetic coupling plate of the present invention w/attached anchor string.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an angled view of the magnetic coupling plate w/attached anchor string and metal anchor plate of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a top view of the backside of the metal anchor plate w/double sided adhesive tape attached to the magnetic coupling plate of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a side view of each individual component of the present invention as it is intended to be used with relation to its coupling capability.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention w/identifying components in their intended use.

FIG. 6 is an illustration the positioning of an attached metal anchor in use in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a final application of the present invention in its first preferred embodiment

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the front side of a standard work identification badge (ID) used in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the rear side of a standard work ID badge with a metal anchor plate strategically attached in a pre-determined location.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a final application of the present invention in its second preferred embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions are intended to aid in supporting the claims of this application of the present invention:

Decorative Form: A housing having an ornamental shape, such as a geometric shape, comprising an oval, a square, a triangle, a square, a circle, a rectangle, or a diamond, a flower, a butterfly, a flag, or other shape.

Decorative Surface: A surface containing any decoration, including, but not limited to, a geometric shape, comprising a rectangle, or a square, or a triangle, or an oval, or a circle, or a diamond, or a geometric design, a crest or coat of arms (such as a family or school crest or coat of arms), a company or brand insignia, logo, or trademark, or a design including school, club, military unit, or national colors, emblems, flags, or symbols.

T-Shaped End: A metal, plastic, or other component in the shape of a curved or straight “T”, anchor, or double-ended hook.

Tie Magnetic Coupling Device: A device for holding a wearer's tie in place.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are illustrations of the following components: 104-Magnetic Coupling Plate; 106-Metal Anchor Plate w/Double Sided Adhesive Tape; 101-“T” bar; 103-Anchor String; and 108-Lobster Clasp Connection from different views and as they function in relation to the present invention as a whole.

Referring to FIG. 5 in a first preferred embodiment, magnetic coupling device includes a “T”-bar anchor end 101, anchor string 103, magnetic coupling plate 104, metal anchoring plate w/double sided adhesive tape (on one side) 106 and a lobster or other spring type clasp connection 108. The magnet in part 104 is permanently mounted to a housing plate preferably constructed of metal, plastic or other materials which can be decorative in nature. In addition, one or more of such housings can be shaped into a decorative form as previously described under the Decorative surface section. The anchoring string 103, can be metal, cord, string or any other material. Also, illustrated in FIG. 5 is a tie comprised of a main front part 107 and a rear tail piece 105 and a shirt 102. The shirt, although described as button down for the purpose of detailing the first preferred use of the invention, need not be button down for other preferred uses. Both the shirt and the tie can be made of cotton, silk, wool or any other material or combinations of material.

Referring to FIG. 6 in the first preferred embodiment, the metal anchor plate is semi-permanently attached to a pre-determined spot on the back side of the main front tie part 107. This is achieved by simply peeling off the paper backing of the double sided adhesive tape on the back of the metal anchor plate 106 and the pressing it onto the aforementioned spot.

Referring to FIG. 7 in the first preferred embodiment the tie wearer takes the smaller rear tie tail 105 and places it directly over the attached metal anchor plate. Once this is done, the wearer takes the magnetic coupling plate 104 and places it over the back of the rear tie tail 105 directly in line with the attached metal anchor plate.

The immediate strong bond will let the wearer know the application is complete. Lastly the wearer take the “T” bar anchor 101 located at the end of the anchor string 103 and puts it through the nearest button hole and buttons up his shirt 102.

This coupling of the main magnetic coupling plate 104 and the metal anchor plate, holds the main front tie piece 107 and rear tie tail 105 together and in line without causing any damaging or unsightly holes in the main front tie piece 107. In addition, the connected anchor string 103, keeps the tie from moving any substantially unwanted distance from the wearer's body while still allowing the desired appearance obtained from some limited movement.

In other embodiments, the anchor string 103 can be removed in the case where the user is not wearing a button-down shirt or simply desires unrestricted movement of his tie, just to name a few examples.

Referring to FIG. 8, is an illustration of the front side of a standard employee work ID 204 used in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention

Referring to FIG. 9, is an illustration of the rear side of a standard employee work ID 204 with a metal anchor plate 203, attached in preparation for use in combination with the magnetic coupling device during the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and includes the magnetic coupling device includes a magnetic coupling plate 202 (comprised of a housing preferably constructed of metal, plastic, or other materials, which can be decorative in nature with a magnet permanently attached at one end) and the metal anchor plate 203. This illustration shows the magnetic coupling device 202, being positioned inside the user's apparel 201 directly in line with the metal anchor plate 203 which is attached to the back of the employee's work badge 204. This application of the present invention allows users to abstain from the use of any type of clip or clasp which may be awkward to attach or may cause damage to the user's clothing. This will also aid anyone that may have broken or lost the original clip or clasp that came with the employee badge.

In other embodiments, this use of this present invention can also be applied to other objects that need to somehow be clipped or pinned or in some way attached to one's person. Examples of this may be a corsage or boutonniere, a broker's trading badge, a silk pocket square, a name badge, etc. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A coupling device, comprising: a first magnet; an attachable anchor plate with a double sided tape on one side, comprised of some type of metal, magnet or any other material capable of adhering to the first magnet; a removable anchor string comprised of either leather or rope/string or metal links connected to the body of the first magnet housing with some type of clasp at one end and a metal or plastic “T” shaped piece on the other end, wherein said coupling device is closed by coupling said first magnet and said anchoring plate; and wherein said coupling device is opened by uncoupling said first magnet and said anchoring plate.
 2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein the said first magnet comprises a decorative surface.
 3. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said coupling device is a necktie coupling device.
 4. A coupling device comprising: a first magnet; an attachable anchor plate with a double sided tape on one side; a first removable anchor string/chain attached to the housing of said first magnet and the wearers shirt by putting the “T” shaped end through the wearers button hole and then buttoning the shirt button hole; and wherein said coupling device is closed by coupling said first magnet and said anchor plate; wherein said coupling device is opened by uncoupling said first magnet and said anchor plate; and wherein said housing is made up of a metal plate, a permanently attached magnet and allowing the attachment of the removable anchor string.
 5. A coupling device comprising: a first magnet; attachable anchor plate with a double-sided tape on one side; wherein said coupling device is closed by coupling said first magnet and said anchor plate; wherein said coupling device is opened by uncoupling said first magnet and said anchor plate. 